Tag: SHMM

With a new-ish interest in photography, LEAP Ambassadors stopped by the Sam Houston Memorial Museum on Wednesday to see an exhibit of photographs taken by local talent Derek Birdsall and Casey Roon. The results were impressive!

The gallery was laid out in impressive fashion, with gray walls that accentuate the photographs and well-placed lighting.

Additional decor was added which, combined with the beautiful photography, made for a wonderful gallery.

In all, there were 43 photographs, approximately split between the two photographers. When he’s not taking great photographs, Derek Birdsall is the Education Curator of the Sam Houston Memorial Museum. And when Casey Roon isn’t taking evocative photographs, she works as the Marketing Curator of the Museum. Other museum staff, such as Mac Woodward, Megan Buro, and Joanne Purvis, and Peter Grivich, were also on hand. The latter staff member, Grivich, was also present in spirit throughout the photographs: he served as a model in many of the photographs, and as the landscape architect of the Museum, his handiwork was visible in every photograph.

The exhibit shows the Museum in both its splendor and diversity. One of our favorite photos, was a “Monet-style image,” taken by Birdsall.

It’s shimmery look and blended colors capture the look of an impressionist painting. Other favorites included flowers, trees, and a creek, photos that display the variety of images in the park…

…and the skill with which the photographers captured light, color, and motion (the creek was shot with an iPhone!).

My favorite by Ms. Roon was “Cold Shoulder by a Hawk,” which aptly demonstrates the birders should spend some time at the SHMM!

It was a delightful exhibit, and is perfect for newcomers to Huntsville or, at least, the Museum–and for those who wish to see the Museum through new eyes!

The Sam Houston Memorial Museum hosted its 4th Annual Amateur Photography Contest last week, attracting approximately 200 visitors to the Walker Educator Center. The record number of guests were able to peruse a record number of submissions—more than 300 in all—while also enjoying the opportunity to win prizes offered by Museum staff.

Walker Education Center Exhibit Hall

The event was the brainchild of Museum Curator of Exhibits Casey Roon, who initiated the contest in 2010. The goal was to showcase community talent, while bringing the community together.

Casey Roon & Mac Woodward

Among the many individuals brought together included students from the Center for Law, Engagement, And Politics (LEAP), who volunteered to help at this wonderful community-building project. “The Museum hosts various exhibits throughout the year, but my favorite is the Amateur Photo Contest,” observed Ariel Traub, “and the photographs were stunning!”

Ashley, Constance, Medrano, Traub

As with previous years, the photographs were grouped into multiple categories but, as Marketing Coordinator Megan Buro notes, “Casey has done a great job of keeping the contest fresh and different. This year included new categories and the photographs were fantastic.” In all, there were eight categories: (1) Faces, (2) B&W, (3) Old, (4) Action, (5) Flora & Fauna, (6) Travel, (7) New, and (8) Food. There were also the “Curator’s Choice” selections and, of course, the big prize: “Best in Show.”

The winners included:

Faces

Denise Camp Kya

Cari McGown Whatcha Sayin?

Sarah Lane Jane

Watchu saying?, by Cari McGown

B&W

Ashley Dobos American Poverty

Scott McCarley School Dance

Cari McGown I See the Moon, the Moon Sees Me

American Poverty, by Ashley Dobos

Old

Steven Mateo V8 Soft

Sam Beard In Eliza’s Kitchen

Ramses Leon Cuban Butterfly

V8 Soft, Steven Mateo

Action

Erin Rogers Nature’s Grace

Keenan Jones Untitled

Sam Beard Going for the Steer

Nature’s Grace, by Erin Rogers

Flora & Fauna

Anne King Green

(tie) Cari Mc Gown Good Morning Lady

(tie) Sarah Lane Lone

(tie) Elisabeth Williams Frog’s New Home

(tie) David Knuth Low Tide

Lone, by Sarah Lane

Travel

Beth Gray Tickets Please

Lori Sanders Stone Soldiers

Scott McCarley Train to Bandra

Train to Bandra, by Scott McCarley

New

Anne King Charlotte

Mike Whatley New Day

Sam Beard Spring Flowers

New Day, by Mike Whatley

Food

Denise Camp Yellow Peppers

Lori Sanders Sweet Tea

Jacqueline Davis For the Love of Caffeine

Sweet Tea, by Lori Sanders

Selected for the top two photographs in the exhibit were:

Reserve: Beth Gray Tickets PleaseBest in Show: Denise Camp Kya

Kya, by Denise Camp

Among the many submissions—and winners!—was the Chair of the Friends of the SHMM, Scott McCarley. His “Train to Bandra” and “School Dance” both placed in the top three in the “Travel” and “B&W” categories.

“It’s great to be able to participate in one of the Museum’s many fine exhibits and programs that are open to the public,” noted McCarley. “We hope that the Museum gets this level of support for all of its exhibits.”